Cyberbullying bill would make dissemination of sexually explicit photos a felony in California

SARATOGA, Calif. — A state senator is introducing cyberbullying legislation in response to a 15-year-old Northern California girl’s suicide after her family says photographs of a sexual assault she suffered were circulated to classmates.

Sen. Jim Beall, accompanied by Audrie Pott’s mother, Sheila, announced the legislation at a news conference in Santa Clara County on Friday morning. It would make cyberbullying that includes the dissemination of sexually explicit photographs a felony and stiffen penalties for sex assaults that occur when the victim is unconscious.

Audrie fell asleep after drinking Gatorade laced with alcohol at a friend’s party in Saratoga in 2012. She awoke to find her pants off and lewd comments scribbled over her body.

Her family says she hanged herself days later after learning that cellphone photos of her taken during the assault were circulated.